Bachelor of Further Education and Training (BFET) - BFET

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Program focus

This degree aims to produce teachers/trainers who can work effectively in a range of post-compulsory education and training settings. It combines practical skills and techniques in the effective design, delivery, management and evaluation of instructional programs, with a broader base of underlying professional knowledge.

We are currently redeveloping our programs for 2009. This area of study will remain available, with greater flexibility.

Career opportunities

This program provides a degree level qualification for those persons who wish to pursue a career in TAFE teaching, industry training or community education.

Program aims

This is a three-year (full-time equivalent) degree that focuses on the needs of professional instructors/trainers and managers of training.

The Bachelor of Further Education and Training degree seeks to provide students with a systematic, coherent introduction to the body of knowledge, the underlying principles and concepts, and the problem-solving techniques associated with effective design, delivery and management of instructional programs and processes in the post-compulsory education and training sector.

In addition, the Bachelor of Further Education and Training degree seeks to develop academic skills and attitudes needed to comprehend and evaluate new information, concepts, and evidence from a range of sources.

This program is committed to providing authentic learning experiences that support students to link theory with practice as a foundation for development of expertise. Its graduates will be able to operate as effective educators within post-compulsory education/training settings such as industry, TAFE, community and technical colleges. Our staff will provide quality teaching and learning experiences that build on learners' existing knowledge and skills and challenge them to excel in a supportive and flexible adult learning environment.

This program is distinguished by:

• a focus on meeting the needs of beginning teachers in post-compulsory education and training environments..

• recognition provided for trade and professional qualifications and relevant work experience as part of the program.

Program objectives

The Bachelor of Further Education and Training seeks to:

• provide beginning teachers/trainers in post-compulsory education and training settings with theoretical foundations linked to the development of a range of instructional skills for successful professional practice

• facilitate development of knowledge and skills in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of effective programs accommodating a broad range of learner needs and characteristics

• have teachers/trainers in the sector demonstrate professional commitment and motivation to engage in reflective practices, on-going professional development and continuous improvement

• give beginning teachers/trainers in the sector the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge and skills in their areas of professional content expertise to a level equivalent to 1.5 years of full-time undergraduate study.

It is also a holistic and integrated objective that the Bachelor of Further Education and Training address all USQ standard graduate attributes.

Admission requirements

Normal Entry

To be eligible for normal enrolment in the Bachelor of Further Education and Training, an applicant must meet the following criteria

• have at least a recognised formal trade or professional qualification, or equivalent, in his/her content area

• have substantial workplace experience in his/her content area

• have access to an approved instructional setting in the post-compulsory education and training sector. Such engagement must enable applicants to plan, implement and evaluate actual instructional programs as required by specified courses within this program. Written verification of such engagement will be required before enrolment can be confirmed.

Special Entry

Subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Southern Queensland and Faculty of Education, applicants who do not hold formal, recognised qualifications as listed above, but who have extensive relevant industrial, commercial and/or professional training and work experience such that they are acceptable for employment as teachers/trainers in the post-compulsory education and training sector, may be considered for special entry to the program. As for normal entry (above), such persons will need to be engaged at least part-time as teachers/trainers, curriculum developers or managers of education and training, or similar, in approved settings in the post-compulsory education and training sector. Written verification of such engagements will be required before enrolment can be confirmed.

How to apply

Application for the Bachelor of Further Education and Training) may be made directly to USQ.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Student contribution amount

For domestic students who are offered Commonwealth supported places, the Government pays some money directly to the University, but students are also required to make a contribution. This contribution is called the ‘student contribution’. For more information about student contribution amounts, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ fees.

Tuition fee

Domestic fee-paying places are funded entirely through the tuition/direct fees paid by the student. Tuition/direct fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. For more information about Tuition Fees, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ Fees.

International fees

International students pay tuition fees. For details about international student fees, refer to the International Fee Schedule provided by USQ International.

Program structure

To be awarded a three-year Bachelors program in the Faculty of Education, a student must have normally completed 24 units at undergraduate levels 1-4. At the discretion of the Program Coordinator, a maximum of up to 3 units may be completed at level 4 or 5.

Professional Studies Electives

List of approved electives

Note - Professional studies electives exemptions for Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA0104): It is recommended that students wishing to teach accredited vocational education and training (VET) courses at TAFE or in industry orcommunity settings complete a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA04) with a Registered Training Organisation. Students may submit an application for exemption for up to 2 Professional Studies Electives for completion of this qualification plus six months workplace application.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 7 years to complete this program.

Practical experience

Maintenance of instructional engagement during enrolment

Throughout the period of enrolment in this program, students are expected to maintain access to training design and delivery activities in the post-compulsory education sector (other training sector placements only on approval from the Program Coordinator) to ensure that all program and specific course objectives can be achieved.

Irrespective of level of academic performance achieved by students in courses of this program, no student will be eligible to graduate from this program without satisfactorily demonstrating current instructional competence against the instructional performance criteria identified in courses TEA2301, TEA3401 and TEA4302.

IMPORTANT NOTE: One of the central aims of this program is to allow students to develop teaching skills and strategies, while at the same time linking theory and practice. This is the basis for continual improvement. It is therefore essential that all students commence the beginning instructional course TEA2301 before undertaking any instructional placements associated with this program.

IT requirements

University advice on computer technology needs and requirements can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/default.htm.

Residential schools

There are no residential schools in this program.

Articulation

• Students who have completed the Associate Degree in Further Education and Training will be able to gain full credit for their Associate Degree studies if they subsequently enrol in the Bachelor of Further Education and Training.

• On completion of the Bachelor of Further Education and Training, students may gain full articulation into the four-year Bachelor of Education (Further Education and Training). Consult with the Program Coordinator for full details.

Exit points

Students who have completed two years equivalent study (16 units) and have satisfied the requirements for the Associate Degree in Further Education and Training, may exit with this award.

Exemptions

Students entering the Bachelor of Further Education and Training with appropriate prior trade or professional qualifications and/or documented extensive relevant industry training, experience and demonstrated current competence may be granted exemptions from some program requirements, subject to the approved program structures and current policies and regulations of the University of Southern Queensland and the Faculty of Education.

Other information

Courses in this program are offered primarily via print-based materials. Some elective courses are offered via the Internet. Access to the Internet and an email address are required to study a course offered via the Internet. Study materials for these courses are available at the commencement of the semester.

Recommended enrolment pattern

It is the students' responsibility to ensure correct enrolment in the program structure to meet graduation requirements. It is possible for students in this program to have varying enrolment patterns. However, it is suggested that the following courses are taken early in the program. This is a fully external program. Students are required to plan appropriate patterns of enrolment and will need to consider semester/s of offering and pre-requisites. The order of courses listed below is the recommended enrolment pattern. For further information students should contact the Program Coordinator.

Important note: One of the central aims of this program is to allow students to develop teaching skills and strategies, while at the same time linking theory and practice. This is the basis for continual improvement. It is therefore essential that all students commence the beginning instructional course TEA2301 before undertaking any instructional placements associated with this program.

Notes

Individual program enrolment patterns must meet the program structure requirements outlined above. Students should consult with the Program Coordinator if assistance is required with enrolment planning.